Fish of the Day 54 - I got that wobbegong in me

Today’s fish of the day is the wobbegong shark! What a particular kind of shark… it's very unique!

Wobbegong shark facts:

- Wobbegong sharks are bottom feeders, and the patterns on their skin act as camouflage. Some species burry themselves in the sand, so these patterns are very helpful! Here's a good example...

You may think that the whisker like skin-flaps (also known as their dermal lobes) around their faces helps with feeling their surroundings, but it actually helps camouflage them even more, making their silhouette less shark like. It does sort of resemble kelp!

- They are also known as carpet sharks thanks to their unique patterns... maybe because of these as well.

- Their name, "wobbegong", sounds pretty funny, but it has a meaning! Some believe the name comes from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning "shaggy beard" which definitely makes sense, considering their appearance.

- Like another kind of shark, the sand tiger shark, wobbegongs can dislocate their jaws to eat prey. In the case of wobbegong sharks, this helps with sucking up whatever critters are hanging out on the sea floor, especially bigger things that would not normally fit through their mouths! Like THIS??

- In captivity, they have to be individually fed by divers due to their behavior!

Do you got that wobbegong in you? I think I do... they're awesome!!!